South Island Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Professor Henry Panek
3rd Degree Black Belt
Professor Henry Panek, AKA "Hank" is the head instructor and founder of South Island Bjj. He is currently a 3rd degree Black Belt that comes from a Carlson Gracie Sr lineage under the 9th Degree (Red Belt), Professor Marcus Soares. Hank is the 16th student in Canada to receive his Black Belt under Marcus as of 2014 and has trained under him since 1999.
In addition to holding a brown belt in Judo, Hank has been in the fitness industry for more than 40 years and is responsible for introducing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to the Cowichan Valley in 2008.
Combining his fitness expertise and Judo accomplishments, Hank's experiences have allowed him the ability to instruct Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at the highest of levels. Hank is still going strong with training and competing regularly at the World Masters.
"Our Bjj school has the right infusion of Judo and conditioning to make ours a very dominant club in every aspect of the art of fighting and self defence" starting from age 3 and up.
Professor Marcus Soares
9th Degree Red Belt
Marcus Soares is Canada’s Highest ranked Black Belt under Carlson Gracie Sr. He is the founder of the Canadian Carlson Gracie Team (1997) and Father of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Canada. On top of this, Marcus was the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion from 1970 to 1981.
Previously the senior and main instructor of the Carlson Gracie Academy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Promoted to his prestigious Red Belt (9th degree) in 2022.
Making him the only Grandmaster within Canada.
Carlson Gracie
Carlson Gracie is the man who ushered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into the modern era. The oldest son of Carlos Gracie, who founded Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Rio de Janeiro during the 1920s.
Reigning as world champion for thirty years covering the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. He was never defeated in nineteen professional fights. During this time, he was also considered one of the preeminent teachers of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the world; a reputation he holds to this day and a lineage we are beyond proud to represent.
SIBJJ Student Promotions
BLACK BELT
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Greg Walters - June 21 / 2024
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Mike Jorgensen - Sept 17 / 2022
BROWN BELT
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Trapper Edison - 2025
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Mathew Ball - 2024 (posthumously)
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Peter Carstenson - 2024
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Kurt Passmore - 2024
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Kyle Chong - 2023
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Jordan Green - 2023
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Dave Krewda -2023
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Onkar Heer - 2023
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Sheila Wynne - 2022
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Ryan Greenhow - 2022
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David O'Neill-Fortier - 2021
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Allen Davey - 2021
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Greg Walters -2020
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Mike Jorgensen – 2018
BLUE BELT
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Joshua St Pierre -2024
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Diane Barr - 2024
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David De Groot - 2024
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Maxwell Doby - 2024
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Mariko Ohara - 2024
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Michel Martinez - 2024
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Travis Deeble - 2024
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Joe Boldo - 2024
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Andrew Lewis - 2024
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Ko Horiguchi - 2024
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Will Crothers - 2024
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Alex Winterhalt - 2023
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Landon Hourston - 2023
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Graham Jaques - 2023
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John Marston - 2023
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Dale Furber - 2023
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John Chong - 2023
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Lisa Hourston - 2023
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Aaron Parrot - 2022
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Jessica Gladstone 2022
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John Keirstead - 2022
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Reid Smith - 2022
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Graham Irving - 2022
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Ryan Hollett - 2021
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Sean Renaud - 2021
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Ayla Whitehead - 2021
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Stephanie Ball - 2021
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Ben Abbott - 2021
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Carter Park - 2020
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Syl Green - 2020
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Scot Hourston - 2020
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Paul Kleinschmidt – 2019
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Hunter Fenn -2019
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Barry Jenkins – 2019
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Ginni Willis – 2019
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Phil Hogan – 2019
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Tim Rose – 2019
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Dustin Schmidt – 2019
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Kenny Boylan – 2019
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Trapper Edison - 2018
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Kyle Chong - 2018
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Dave Krewda - 2018
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Jordan Green - 2018
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Jory Helmes - 2017
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Naomi Ogawa - 2016
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Kurt Passmore - 2016
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Ryan Greenhow - 2016
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Allen Davey - 2015
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Scott Conrad - 2015
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Onkar Heer - 2014
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Aaron Sproule - 2014
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Trav Guay – 2014
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Mike Jorgensen – 2013
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Greg Walters – 2013
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Bret Deacon – 2013
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Leon Mack – 2012
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Casey O’Leary – 2012
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Dave McCunnie – 2012
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Artur Nowacki – 2012
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Ron Pearce – 2012
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Steve Best – 2012
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Shane Norman – 2010
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Dan Jacques – 2010
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Jordan Kersch – 2010
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Taya Panek – 2010
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Jason Dreise – 2010
PURPLE BELT
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Phil Hogan - 2025
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Ryan Hollett - 2024
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Scot Hourston - 2024
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Steph Ball - 2024
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Ben Abbott - 2023
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Taya Panek - 2023
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Ayla Whitehead - 2023
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Ginni Willis - 2023
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Syl Green - 2023
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Kenny Boylan - 2023
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Barry Jenkins - 2022
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Trapper Edison - 2022
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Matt Ball - 2022
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Kyle Chong - 2021
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Dave Krewda - 2021
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Peter Carstensen - 2021
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Jordan Green - 2021
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Kurt Passmore - 2020
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Onkar Heer – 2019
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Ryan Greenhow – 2019
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Allen Davey – 2018
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Scott Conrad – 2016
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Greg Walters – 2015
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Dan Jacques – 2014
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Shane Norman – 2014
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Mike Jorgensen – 2014
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Jason Dreise – 2013
Meet the Coaches
Bonus Coaches:
